Ohio Legislators Move to Roll Back State Renewable Portfolio Standard

The Ohio House of Representatives yesterday voted 65-31 to pass a bill that would end the state’s current mandate for the amount of renewable energy utilities must provide customers in Ohio. The state’s renewable portfolio standard (RPS) requires that 12.5 percent of electricity sold by Ohio’s electric distribution utilities or electric services companies be generated from renewable energy sources by 2027. Of that 12.5 percent, at least 0.5 percent must come from solar sources. As passed, the bill would essentially remove that mandate and instead grant utilities “permission” to obtain electricity from renewable resources. Ohio Gov. John Kasich at the end of last year vetoed a similar bill that would have both extended a two-year freeze on the state’s RPS and made the RPS voluntary. “Once again the Ohio House is trying to shut the door on energy jobs and investment,” Dick M...